David C. Haas, 29: dreamt of becoming an educator

Share

Sponsor

Photo:

David C. Haas

He was born in Newport News, Va., on November 18, 1982, the son of Joseph and Annette L. Haas. He was the youngest of three children. Haas relocated with his family to Brunswick in 1987. He attended Jordan Acres Elementary School and Brunswick Junior High School, and graduated in 2001 from Brunswick High School, where he was president of his senior class.

Haas won an Army ROTC scholarship that allowed him to attend the University of Richmond in Virginia. He graduated with a degree in history in 2005, and then accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army.

Haas was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan. He deployed with the division to Iraq, where he served as a truck platoon leader. During his second deployment, he served as a maintenance company commander. He returned to Fort Riley in 2009.

Haas went on to graduate in 2011 from the U.S. Army Logistics School, in Fort Lee, Va. He deployed to Daegu, South Korea in November, and was due to return home in three months.

Haas was known for his infectious laugh, his beaming smile and his ability to bring out the best in family and friends. He loved public service and was planning to become a high school counselor or teacher when his military career was completed.

He is survived by his paternal grandmother, Ruth C. Haas of Willingboro, N.J.; his parents Joe and Annette Haas, of Brunswick; his brother Marc Haas, of Richmond; his sister Kirsten Haas, of Greenville, S.C.; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Brunswick on Aug. 6. Interment with full military honors followed at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine National Guard Foundation Fund, c/o DVEM, Att: Family Program Office, State House Station #33, Augusta, ME 04333-0033. To express your condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.